# NTSB FTW85FA087: Cessna T210N, N6578Y, Brackettville, TX, December 26, 1984

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Field investigation · Final report
- Date: December 25, 1984, 20:00 local (Dec 26, 1984, 02:00 UTC)
- Place: Brackettville, TX
- Coordinates: 29.309289, -100.409866 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=29.3093&lon=-100.4099&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 3 fatal, 2 minor
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 21520
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=FTW85FA087
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/21520/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW85FA087

## Sequence of events

In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf).

- In flight encounter with weather, maneuvering
  - weather condition - low ceiling (contributing factor)
  - weather condition - rain (contributing factor)
  - weather condition - dark night (contributing factor)
  - vfr flight into imc - attempted, pilot in command (cause)
- In flight collision with object, maneuvering
  - object - tree(s) (contributing factor)
  - visual lookout - improper, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - low pass - attempted, pilot in command (contributing factor)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled

## Analysis

THE PLT HAD FILED AN INSTRUMENT FLT PLAN FROM HOW TO DHT AND HAD RECEIVED A WX BRIEFING FOR THE ROUTE. THE FLT PROCEEDEDTO DHT WHERE RADAR CONTACT WAS LOST AND THE ACFT WAS CLEARED FOR AN APCH. THE PLT CANCELED IFR. THE PLT THEN PROCEEDED TO BRACKETTVILLE, TX, WHERE THE ACFT CONTACTED TREES AND THE TERRAIN. WITNESSES CONFIRMED VISIBILITY WAS RESTRICTED DO THE LOW CEILING, FOG AND LIGHT CONDITION. BRACKETTVILLE ARPT IS UNLIGHTED AND HAS NO APPROVED IFR APCH. THE PLT HAD LIMITED TIME TO COMPLETE A COMMERCIAL PROJECT FOR THE USAF.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N6578Y](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N6578Y-1986-04-08), registration cancelled 1986-04-08, S/N 21064445 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: CESSNA T210N
- Registry model: [Cessna T210N](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-t210n) (registry code 2073456) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 21064445
- Airframe hours: 430
- Engines: CONTINENTAL TSIO-520-R 310 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: William Rogers Miers, doing business as Southwestern Comm. Svc Co.
- Registered owner: Southeastern Comm. Svc. Co.
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, December 3, 1984, 6 hours before
- Departed: AXH, HOUSTON, TX
- Destination: 74TX, BRACKETTVILLE, TX
- Flight plan: IFR

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 52; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; toxicology performed; flight hours: 1,801 total, 1,801 in this make and model, 26 in the last 90 days, 7 in the last 30 days, 4 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Instrument (IMC), Night/dark
- Wind: 340° at 3 knots, gusting 7
- Visibility: 5 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 700 ft broken
- Temperature: 43 °F, dew point 39 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: DRT, 27 nm away

## FAA reports on this event (1)

The FAA's own accident and incident reports, matched to the aircraft by N-number and date (OpenAirDocs).

- [Accident 19841225069709A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19841225069709A), Dec 25, 1984: Cessna T210N, Bracketville, TX, Destroyed, 2 fatal. Wingtip struck trees and aircraft impacted ground while maneuvering near airport on dark night with IFR conditions.

From the NTSB's public API. Aircraft are matched to registry aircraft by N-number and event date, checked against the reported serial number, make and model; the registry's history has gaps, so older matches can be wrong. Compare the reported make and model.

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